Frequently asked questions

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Does acupuncture hurt?

- Acupuncture is the insertion of very thin needles into specific areas of the body. Some are more sensitive than others but even the most sensitive people love getting treated. You might feel nothing at all while the needles are being inserted or you might feel a tiny soft pinch in certain areas. Once the needles are inserted, you might not feel much, heaviness, tingling, numbness or just simply the needles working its magic. These are all examples of the sensation of "De Qi", energy & blood arriving to the area, which is the desired sensation we want to achieve during treatment. Most people feel very relaxed during and after the treatment. You might even catch yourself falling asleep.

I don’t like needles & I’m scared of getting acupuncture, why should I try it?

- No matter how beneficial the treatment might be for you, if you are not comfortable then it’s not worth it. You are the boss of your body and only you know how you feel. If you do want to try acupuncture, I will be very gentle and start with cupping to ease your body into the treatment. I will then, with your permission, do one needle and see how you feel. You decide every single step we take together and work as a team. I’ve had the honor to give acupuncture to many first timers that trusted me to treat them and I don’t take it lightly. There are many other treatment options such as herbal formulas, guasha (scrapping), cupping, ointments that are extremely effective depending on the condition.

What is the difference between needling from a physiotherapist and acupuncturist?- Dry needling, or IMS (Intramuscular stimulation) is a treatment tool that some physiotherapist use to targets tight and sore muscles. It involves the insertion of the same acupuncture needles into tight bands of muscle that contain a knot, or ‘trigger point’. The muscle tightens then releases and the action is repeated multiple times for the desired effect. To be a certified acupuncturist, it takes 3 years of full-time education + the completion of a national board exam. Even a medical doctor would have to go through this process. IMS and acupuncture's theories and the treatments are completely different. Many countless conditions can be treated with acupuncture alone including the long term relief of muscle tightness and injuries. Both have their benefits and feel completely different. It’s up to you to decide what works best for your body. Please just make sure your therapist has the proper training and hours of experience before needling you.

Are herbal medicines safe to take with prescription medication?

- Yes, herbal medicines are safe. To be on the safe side and for better absorption, unless otherwise prescribed, it’s preferable to take your herbal medicine 2-3 hours before or after meals and other prescription medications There are some drug-herb interactions that need to be avoided. It’s important for patients to keep their Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine up to date on all their medication, supplements and other herbal medicine they might be taking.

I just sprained my ankle, how soon should I get a treatment?

- If you just had a sprain, try to come in right away. The sooner we can get the swelling and pain down. If you have a broken bone, let your body do it’s magic. A bone healing herbal formula might be very beneficial for you to increase your body’s healing capabilities & reduce pain. Acupuncture, along with other modalities, are extremely beneficial for rehabilitation, even for very chronic or old injuries. It doesn’t however compensate for the very valuable rehab exercises that the physiotherapist will get you to do for strengthening and stabilization.

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